The life our tamariki are facing seems a lot more complex than what we faced as children; in particular  the big topic of sustainability and caring for our environment has quite rightly taken the spotlight and has become another important area to include in our local curriculum. We have a strategic plan goal related to this- 

Contributing to our World

1.3. Introduce a design thinking model to support  students to take action towards

environmentally sustainable practices.

With such a large challenge set in front of us, where do you start? 

Over the month of May and into June our work in this area is being supported  by  Lorraine Boennic from the Wellington City Council. Lorraine, a Waste Educator, has shared lessons throughout the school on how to reduce our waste through recycling.  She has challenged our tamariki with hands-on practical lessons which have encouraged us to think and reflect on what we can do to live more sustainably. As so often happens, adults are learning alongside students. 

I took the opportunity to interview a small group of our tamariki and they shared  great ideas around their learning. 

Shalom and Faris from Room 1 were impacted by the amount of plastic that people produced which ends up in the landfill. They talked very knowledgeably about leachate- when water filters through plastic and waste, it produces leachate which ‘is like an acid- if it went on concrete it would melt’ (Faris)

Willy and Kruz from Room 5 added their knowledge about  the impact of leachate and said ‘leachate can produce methane which is in the air and covers the earth and can’t release heat.’ 

Both groups of tamariki talked about the impact of this on us and our future- 

• We are learning about plastics so we can teach the next generation about NOT producing too much plastic (Shalom)
• We need to think about recycling plastics- number 1,2 and 5. Maybe we could have outside rubbish bins in the playground where we (the tamariki) can sort our plastics, cans and paper. (Willy)
• We think we should work on having less plastic in our lunch boxes. (Kruz) 

We are grateful to Lorraine from the Wellington City Council- what she has shared with us is provoking good conversations that will lead to actions our tamariki can take to be proactive in facing some of the complex challenges we live with. Small beginnings lead to bigger outcomes and positive future change for all. 

Thanks also to Faris, Shalom, Willy and Kruz for taking the time to chat. 

Changes to Holy Cross Orange level COVID restrictions.

At our BOT meeting on Thursday  19th, the decision was made to invite parents back into classrooms. We do require parents to wear masks both on school grounds and when entering the classroom as this is an important line of defense against COVID. Students Year 4 and up and staff are continuing to wear masks indoors, in the classroom and when gathered together as a community. We have made the staffroom an optional place to wear masks for staff. 

Currently the rates of infection at school are low with 1-3 cases being reported amongst our students per week. If cases were to rise, the BOT would review these aspects and restrictions may need to be reinstated for the sake of the health and safety of our community. 

Thankyou for your support during this time. We are enjoying welcoming parents back into the life of our school- it is good to reestablish our partnership. 

As a Catholic School, we connect with the local Holy Trinity Parish around sacraments and holy days. This helps our tamariki appreciate that the world around them can have a rhythm and a sense of continuity and community. We have a group of  5 children who will be taking the sacrament of baptism on the 17th June. Through participating in this sacrament, we show symbolically that we accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus offers and begin our spiritual journey guided and empowered by Jesus. 

The students taking this step will appreciate your prayers of encouragement as they prepare to take this sacrament. Nik Solia, our DRS and Father Bill are also supporting their journey.  An event like baptism adds to the special time of celebrating Matariki- A new year and a new life in Christ. 

Well done to all those who participated in the school cross country today. We had some very strong and fast runners and some who enjoyed a stroll in the fresh air! What a beautiful afternoon.

Thank you to all the parent helpers who came to support and keep our tamariki safe while running. Thanks to Ben Gittos and Room 3 for organising this wonderful event.

Thank you to New World Miramar for supplying apples and bananas for the runners.

Tālofa lava,

Next week we celebrate Samoan language week and we invite all Samoan students that would like to, can wear their national costume on Monday to start off the celebration week.

Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa Aso Sa 29 Me – Aso To’ona’i  4 Iuni  – Samoan Language Week Sunday 29th May – Saturday 4^th June 2022

This year’s theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Sāmoa - Samoa Language Week 2022 is Fa’aāuāu le Folauga i le Va’a o Tautai - Continue the Voyage with Competent Wayfinders of the Ocean.

The theme recognises the importance of having the right tools, good leadership skills, relationships, and the correct medium (va’a) that is adaptable to faring the ocean and its elements.

This Sunday 29th May from 11am- 3pm the PSG are having a school working bee. We would love as many families as possible to come along and help out. Jobs include weeding, painting, cleaning windows, sweeping, cutting back shrubs. No experience needed just a willing hand. 

If you have any gardening tools bring them along. A chance for our community to get together. Tea/ Coffee and goodies will be provided.

If the weather is raining, we will postpone. See you there! 

Gardener of the day- Marlon

Today in the garden we filled up the new compost bin. Flynn, Rory, and Ninor moved the compost while me and Cahal weeded near the broccoli. Everyone started brainstorming ideas for a pea frame and me, Parina, and Lydia made a snail farm. Austin, Toby, Dhrumil, and Leya made the pea frame. I think we did very well. 

Chef of the day- Cian

Today in garden to table with Aleksandra we made vegetable risotto. We chopped onions, leek, celery and other greens.  Willy, Kena and I  got some other greens from the garden. Blythe did the knife license and Amalia and Serena made flatbread. The complications are that you need to cut the vegetables into small pieces,another complication is that if you make the risotto too hot, it wont work properly.

If you have a child turning 5 years old,  or you know of someone who would like their child to come to Holy Cross School, please call into the office and pick up an enrolment pack or ring the office 04 3887 189 and we can post you a pack.

This information really helps us to plan for the future. 

If your family circumstances have changed and your child will not be returning to Holy Cross School in 2023, please also let us know.